Those stories resurfaced last week, with the Mirror among the publications suggesting United could finally sign the 27-year-old this summer...although this time there was said to be competition from Liverpool.

But Gaitan has now addressed the regular – and so far unfounded – speculation.

“They talk about me going to Manchester United for five years but I’m still here,” the Argentine said. “No one spoke to me. I’m happy at Benfica.”

In many ways Gaitan has replaced Wesley Sneijder as the go-to rumour, with the Netherlands star often linked with United but never moving to Old Trafford.

Another old favourite was Gaitan’s international teammate Ezequiel Garay, a name United fans would have been forgiven for getting sick of given the number of times he was mentioned as a potential target.

In truth the latest Gaitan rumours made little sense, with United recently signing Memphis Depay and in no real need for another winger or attacking midfielder.

What United need is a world-class box-to-box midfielder, a new striker and plenty of defensive reinforcements. And after Gaitan’s latest comments, it seems the unlikely reports of a summer deal were as far away from the truth as ever.

Vincent Ralph

After graduating with a degree in English Literature, Vincent completed a NCTJ-accredited qualification in newspaper and magazine journalism in 2005. Shortly after, in a somewhat leftfield move, he began working at a secondary school in Kent. After eight years – the last four of which were spent as Head of Sixth Form – he began to write full-time, combining his love of football with his passion for the written word.Alongside his work for HITC Sport, he also writes film reviews for HITC Lifestyle… along with the odd music interview when fate allows.